What if the norm and routine of the sun changes today?

Such that the setting is to the East

And the rising is from the West?

Shall we call it a normal day?

Or we will say God has come to wipe sinners away?

Life, its misfortunes and ignominious situations

Has led me not trust anything, I have become unfaithful and hopeless

But shall I live dead breathing forever?

What if I offered the solution to the problems?

So that when I die, I be forgotten not, but rather leave a memory

What if all of us were world changers and messengers of love and hope?

Shall I be writing about these imbalances and pains of life?

What if women were able to be read on their faces?

I could have read what my mother meant

When every night she could take her handkerchief and clean tears in her eyes

Then say, “Junior, in tears lies happiness, I am happy”

Why not a smile? What did she mean by saying this?

What if she didn’t shed that for six consecutive years,

Could she have been with me here today?

What if I too begin crying today through my pen,

Am I going to follow her down ,six feet under and listen to her?

Mama, I miss you

What if policemen could have stopped the mob justice in cells

Could my father be here today with me?

Watching his son taking the mic, and let the tongue talk to them?

What if the Nation had said that only courts have got justice 

And that cells are offices of detention?

I guess then they couldn’t have broken his ribcage

A termination of life!

What if they knew I needed a father figure in my life

Like an eagle soaring high to the skies

I am a rising star, but then my light can’t be felt in the world

What if all poets, playwrights and activists stood with me?

We could have fought as a family, justice for all

What if they knew that both death and life are gifts

That comes once in a lifetime, at a particular moment

Die, meet with the creator, heaven and hell a reward

Live today, longer as you please, face troubles in life

They would have chosen one; to live a single day like a lion

Rather than live a thousand years as a sheep

What if I die today?

What shall be written in the obituary?

What if I tell them never to mourn me 

For it will be end of a struggle?

Will they hear me?

What if they knew I cried immediately after birth, a man of catastrophes I was born

Would they say, “he has rested?’

© *Hector De Poet*

*Roberto De Khalifa (fb)*

http://www.wordsmiths.co.ke/poet/26

Published by hectordepoetblog

Robert Onteri aka Hector De Poet is a teacher professionally, with a B.ed(English and Literature), Kisii University. He is an M.A(literature)student at The University of Nairobi. His journey to poetry can be dated back to his days in highschool as a member of the Journalism and Kiswahili clubs, which verily nurtured his talent in Uandishi Wa Mashairi. However, he fully got imto writing in university and later on joined Kenyan Poets lounge, then Poetritis Aurora and finally Wordsmiths Poetry Crew. He owes gratitude to Samson Rapando of Budding Poets, Dr. Christopher Okemwa of Kisii University and Eric Valles of Singapore for their great support in writing. Prof Seth Michelson, Godspower Oboido, Gunnar Waerness and Daniel H. Dugas and Tony Mochama of Standard Group are few of the poets Hector has shared a podium with.

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